BONDS OF STAINED GLASS: THE MAFIA'S RELUCTANT BRIDE

ELISSE

"Don't be anywhere near the dining room or the main hall, do you understand?" My stepmother growls, hatred lacing her voice as she looks at me with a disgusted expression.

I sigh quietly, nodding my head.

"I understand," I whisper, which somehow irritates her more.

"And why are you not dressed yet? It is almost breakfast time!" she screeches. "What a wonder that you are engaged; Mr. Moretti has no idea what he is taking on by marrying you." She seethes, making me flinch.

I hate that I don't speak up for myself. I hate that I don't have the backbone to stand up to anyone for my own dignity. I sniffle as I feel that familiar sting in my nose.

Victoria turns around to the maid behind her and gestures to me while speaking.

"Fix her. It is your responsibility to keep an eye on this good-for-nothing girl," she says, shaking her head as she walks away.

I let out a breath I was holding to suck in my stomach as Elena enters, closing the door behind her.

"I am sorry, Miss. I was trying to get here as fast as—"

"It is okay, Elena. We know I can never please them," I say, giving her a reassuring smile. It's not her fault they hate me.

I walk over to my mirror, staring at the scars on my stomach and waist while she picks out a dress for me with another impossible corset. I peek out the window next to the vanity to see my father getting out of a car and heading inside.

A shiver runs up my spine as I look at his rigid demeanor. He's angry.

I quickly get into the dress she picked out, paying attention to nothing except getting downstairs and to the breakfast table before him.

I thought he would be happy at least today. His darling daughter is going to be betrothed to the Don's son—the heir to the throne. Why is he upset?

I quickly slip on my shoes as Elena puts my hair into a clip at the back of my head. With my limited breathing capacity, I walk as fast as I can into the family dining room. Thankfully, I am the first to arrive.

I see all the servants bustling around the house, trying to prepare everything for tonight because the Don is coming.

I was 10 when my mother passed away and my father remarried. Unfortunately for me, he married a woman who had hated me since the day I was born.

My father and my stepmother met 20 years ago. My father had never actually loved my mama; he married her for his family's sake. So when he fell in love with my stepmother, Anita—wait, Victoria—he decided to divorce my mama so he could be with his true love.

Before he could do that, though, my mama found out she was pregnant with me. And so he had to stay married to her. That's why Victoria hates me.

Victoria tried everything to get my father's family to accept her. She even got pregnant with my stepsister, Celeste, at the same time so he could marry her, but tradition did not allow two marriages at once.

I still don't quite understand how she managed that. Didn't God only bless married couples with children? I suppose it doesn't matter.

So, when my mom died from a tumor 10 years ago, Victoria didn't even wait for her funeral to get Father to marry her. My life has been a myriad of sorrows since then—not that it was much better before.

Victoria is not the only one who hates me. Father does too, I assume for the exact same reasons.

Now, at 20 years old, I am nothing more than a mold to my father's will, betrothed to a man I have never seen nor had a single conversation with. I don't even know his first name.

I remember when I asked Father if I got a say in the matter two weeks ago. He backhanded me and told me to show some respect.

I'm told that's the life of a woman in the Mafia. We have to respect the man of the house, keep our heads low, and go straight from obeying our fathers to obeying our husbands.

Made men don't listen to their women. They are who they are, and we obey to survive.

I can't help but wonder if I could survive outside of this world or if I could live without a man to rule over me.

"Elisse."

Father's deep, berating voice snaps me out of my rebellious thoughts, as if he could somehow hear them.

"Good day, Father." He looks annoyed but nods at me.

"Where are Victoria and Celeste?" he asks, sitting down and motioning for me to take a seat as well.

"Forgive me, I do not know," I say, afraid he will get mad.

Just then, they enter, making me take a breath of relief. They both sit down, and my father nods in permission for us to start eating.

"Is everything in order for the Don's arrival?" he asks.

Victoria nods quickly. "Yes, I have everything arranged, and Celeste is also prepared." She pauses, then adds with a triumphant smirk, "If Elisse doesn't disgrace us with her cursed presence, our daughter will be engaged to the heir of the Mafia!" She all but squeals with glee. I catch Celeste giving me a strange look.

I can never read her expressions. For someone who claims to despise my existence, Victoria sure does mention me a lot. Am I really that much of a constant shadow in her life?

"Elisse, you are to stay in the East Wing, capire?" Father asks, making me nod. "Do not go to your room. If the Don asks, I do not wish to be embarrassed," he says, making me nod again. (Understood?)

Why can't I just stay in my room?

I slowly chew my fruit, not daring to voice the question, praying for the night not to turn into a complete disaster.